Foo - Owl In Distress

My wife put one of those sticky fly catching things out on the deck to help with the bug problem.

I looked out the back door and an owl is hopping around with this thing stuck on him.

Any ideas how I can catch or help this poor little owl. He is about the size of a softball. It is dark still and will not be light for about 3 hrs.

Step 1 would be to capture the little owlet and I would suggest using a thick towel you can throw over him/her as this will calm the bird down and protect you from what could be a painful bite.

Having a second person would be handy and you would be amazed at how difficult it is to handle a small bird... I used to have an African Grey Parrot that hated having his nails cut and those talons could wreak some havok.

Wear some thick gloves for extra protection.

After you capture the little fella you will have to find a way to remove the flypaper and may have to use a gentle solvent as it seems this could really cause some problems with the bird's ability to fly... all the time remember that this will be very stressful for the owl and you want to minimize that at all costs.

You might want to contact a local rescue society for advice on how to remove the adhesive if it has worked itself into the bird's feathers.

Use a beach towel like a cast net. He can bite like all hell, be careful.

Take him into your local vet. They usually open as early as 7:00 a.m.
They will be able to care for him, or get him to a raptor rescue group.

You may have an animal rescue type service that's available to call. Any idea what type of owl it is?

I went out there with a laundry basket to put on top of him and he hopped into some underbrush. It is dark and I can't see him now. He is laying low. I will try the towel thing. It is going to be tough to hold a flashlight to locate him and also try to trap him with the towel at the same time.

Do you think I should wait until light and have two hands plus be able to see. I can't hear him rustling around or anything. Geezz I am just besides myself here.

See if you can find him, but if you can't try again when it gets light.

Don't be afraid to be quick. He'll do his best to be when you are trying to catch him.

Animal Control may be willing to send someone out to help you find him in the morning.

Don't feel too badly, accidents happen, just don't use sticky traps outdoors any more.

Vegetable oil or mineral oil works with the type of sticky trap I'm familiar with.

It is a fly strip like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fliegenfaenger.jpg

I'm sure I will be able to find him in daylight. I will catch him, but I don't think I would be able to get that thing off of him. I have never handled a bird.

Spray him with cooking oil.

Spray him with cooking oil.

.. sound like a stir fly.. with a lil pepper an chili

It is a fly strip like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fliegenfaenger.jpg

I'm sure I will be able to find him in daylight. I will catch him, but I don't think I would be able to get that thing off of him. I have never handled a bird.

Definitely do as they say above and throw the towel over him - have a box ready and put him in it - keep the towel loosely around him - it will quiet him and not allow him to flop around - potentially injuring himself ---- and take him to an animal shelter/rescue - they can best take that thing off with minimal damage to it.

:)

I used to have an African Grey Parrot

No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the African Grey, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!


To the OP: DO NOT nail him to his perch, as this will leave him pining for the fjords.

I would suggest a 16ga with #4 shot...or #6 shot depending on the size of the owl.

Update?

East Hill

You may have an animal rescue type service that's available to call. Any idea what type of owl it is?

That small may be a screech owl...

You need an animal rescuer. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y4sTznZeYhY)

A hooter the size of a softball?

If you had another you could open a restaurant. ;)

Oh brother. :rolleyes:

I looked for over an hour and could not find the little owl. Didn't find the fly strip either. I would say a cat got him, except I don't see any feathers.:(

I googled owls and this did look like a little screech owl. Do they make any distinguishable sounds? I am still looking for him.

I looked for over an hour and could not find the little owl. Didn't find the fly strip either. I would say a cat got him, except I don't see any feathers.:(

I googled owls and this did look like a little screech owl. Do they make any distinguishable sounds? I am still looking for him.

Distinguishable sounds?????????????????????????????????????????????

When I first heard one as a kid - it made all four kids in the house raise up from a sound sleep and meet in the hallway - all with blankies and big wide eyes - WHAT WAS THAT!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?

Next time I heard one was as an adult camping - nice and quiet all is peaceful - sleeping .... ahhhhh SCREEEEEECHHHY-RASSSSPYUYY-SCREEEEECH-FINGERNAIL ACROSS CHALKBOARD - Holy Carp!!!!!

Seriously - you sit straight up in bed when you hear one (I mean once you know it's there - you're more "adjusted" to it - but it's that freaking first time that gets you).

I so hope you're able to find it. Good hunting!! (btw - he won't be making any loud sounds when he's like this)

Owls are demonic spirits incarnate. Bring it before a priest - then cover the priest with tar and chicken feathers while the owl is permitted to watch. After you do this the owl will be sure to leave you in peace.